Fall Movie Spotlight: Ridley Scott’s The Martian

You’re probably wondering why I’m suddenly blogging about this film, with just two weeks before its US release (October 2). UK folks actually will get this two days sooner on Sept. 30. In all honesty, up until fairly recently, I had been mostly blasé about this film, given my disappointments with Sir Ridley Scott‘s movies lately. I even skipped The Counselor but I somehow got around to seeing Exodus despite my dread, and though I didn’t hate it as much as I thought I would, it still was such a letdown.

But y’know what, the relentless campaign somehow succeeded in getting me more intrigued about this one and it seems that the reviews suggest that this could be a return to form for the 77-year-old prolific filmmaker. The Rotten Tomatoes summary said the film is “Smart, thrilling, and surprisingly funny…” hmmm, I’m most intrigued by the surprisingly funny part, esp. given the 141-min running time, a bit of humor goes a long way.

During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

As for the casting, well I have to admit I was rather meh about Matt Damon casting, but perhaps because I was one of those who don’t care for his casting in Interstellar and he’s playing an astronaut yet again here. But yes I realize it’s a totally different character and I am intrigued by the MacGyver style survival story in space.

I do love the supporting cast! Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara … nice to see a trio of actresses in prominent roles. I’ve always liked Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Sebastian Stan and Chiwetel Ejiofor, so that’s very cool too. Interesting to see Ejiofor playing an Indian character, but apparently Irrfan Khan was originally cast but had scheduling conflict. Hey, even Norwegian actor Aksel Hennie whom I like in Headhunters is here, too!

Another piece of trivia per IMDb,Drew Goddard, who wrote the screenplay for the film, was also at one point set to direct, but left that role to go direct the Sinister Six film. After that, Scott read the script and jumped into the project, rather than making a Prometheus sequel (I think that’s wise). I also didn’t realize that the writer of the novel Andy Weir first published his book for free on his own site as a blog for fun. Then people asked him to put it in a downloadable form, then people asked him to put it on Amazon for Kindle download which he did at the then min price of $0.99.

So apparently this movie had the coolest premiere ever… in the International Space Station! I guess that made sense as NASA was consulted while making the film in order to get aspects of space and space travel, specifically in relation to Mars, with the most accuracy.

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30 thoughts on “Fall Movie Spotlight: Ridley Scott’s The Martian”

This was the film I was totally jazzed about for the Fall. ‘The Martian’ being my favorite novel of 2014. The match up of Ridley Scott returning to sci-fi, along with Matt Damon’s casting (if you’ve read the book, this is a natural) has me more than excited for its release. If the screenwriters, or frackin’ producers, don’t screw this up, this is going to be one very entertaining ride.

Yay, awesome! I’m even MORE excited to see this now Michael. I didn’t know about the humorous tone of the story but hey, that’s always a plus. Yes let’s hope they didn’t butcher this cinematic adaptation!

I didn’t read the book it’s based on but I know it’s quite popular and I’m looking forward to seeing this on the big screen and in Dolby Atmos! I’m sucker for space adventure films so hopefully Hollywood will hit a trifecta with this one, GRAVITY in 2013 and INTERSTELLAR last fall. If this one turns out to be another hit, we’ll get to see more space adventure films.

Hi Ted! Well I saw it last night and REALLY liked it. In fact, I LOVED it, much more than Interstellar. I’d be keen in seeing this again, and yes I think if this is a hit, hopefully we’ll get more space adventure films.

YES!! I’m thrilled that I highlighted this film after months of sort of ignoring it, ahah. I’m glad it captured the spirit of the book, that’s actually as important as the details. I LOVE Ridley Scott up until a few years ago so nice to see him back in top form. Damon was good as well, he’s not usually my go-to actor.

Looking forward to this. Let you know what I think when I see it. While I haven’t liked a lot of Scott’s work for a while you gotta give it to the man he’s one of the best sci-fi directors out there. (Alien and Blade Runner are on the shortlist of greatest sci-fi movies ever made and at least Prometheus looked spectacular despite the so-so story). I have high hopes. We’ll see.

Hi Dave! Yes let me know what you think after you see it. I saw it last Monday and REALLY enjoyed it. It’s true he hasn’t butchered a scifi movie yet so hopefully he’ll just stick w/ that as his Robin Hood, Exodus and The Counselor seem to have missed their mark. I heard he’ll work on Blade Runner 2 after this one.

Great post Ruth. I’m curious about the concept but the run time concerns me – I hope it can keep the momentum going. Damon seems to be majoring in sci-fi lately with Interstellar and Elysium under his belt, but I haven’t been enamoured with either film to be honest. I’m hoping to see this one later in the week, so I’ll let you know how I get on!

Hi Natalie! Wow I totally forgot about Elysium, I hated that movie. But this one was good, thankfully, it was very entertaining and enjoyable to watch as there’s a lot of humor in it. I actually like this a lot better than Interstellar.

About me

Hello I'm Ruth! Film is in my blood. LOVE movies of all genres, from Jane Austen to James Bond. Official blogger for the Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF). I've recently completed my first feature screenplay & produced my first short film HEARTS WANT. Visit facebook.com/heartswantfilm

Trivia on Blade Runner 2049

Denis Villeneuve noted that he's fully aware of the immense pressure he's under, and how hardcore fans of the original view the prospect of a new film: "I know that every single fan will walk into the theater with a baseball bat. I'm aware of that and I respect that, and it's okay with me because it's art. Art is risk, and I have to take risks. It's gonna be the biggest risk of my life but I'm okay with that. For me it's very exciting... It's just so inspiring, I'm so inspired. I've been dreaming to do sci-fi since I was 10 years old, and I said 'no' to a lot of sequels. I couldn't say 'no' to Blade Runner 2049 (2017). I love it too much, so I said, 'Alright, I will do it and give everything I have to make it great.'"

Initially, Denis Villeneuve was against the concept of a sequel to Blade Runner (1982), as he felt it could violate the original. But after reading the script, which he and Harrison Ford have described as "one of the best" they have ever read, he committed to the project, stating that Ford was already involved at that point: "To be very honest with you, Harrison was part of the project before I arrived. He was attached to it right from the start with Ridley [Scott]. I met him and he's honestly one of the nicest human beings I've met and is one of my favorite actors of all time, so for me it's a lot of pleasure."

Jared Leto was introduced to Denis Villeneuve by his close friend Jean-Marc Vallée, who had directed Leto in Dallas Buyers Club (2013).

Emily Blunt was considered for a role but she declined due to her pregnancy.

This sequel is set to be released on October 6, 2017, just ten years and one day after the Final Cut version of the first film premiered in Los Angeles.

The sequel which takes place 30 years after Blade Runner (1982) is the story of new Blade Runner Officer K (Ryan Gosling) as he searches Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) whom has disappeared. In Harrison Ford's earlier science fiction film Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) which took place 30 years after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983), The film's main protagonists Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) are searching for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) whom disappeared. Harrison Ford played Han Solo in the Star Wars films.